It is the intention of this policy to delineate, in broad terms, areas of professional conduct, as well as behaviors that may be considered conflicts of interest in a health care teaching facility.
Marian University’s Office of Student Health Services and the Office of Counseling and Consultation Services are the only providers of health care on campus. All on-campus students should be referred to the Office of Student Health Center or the Office of Counseling and Consultation Services, or to their Primary Care Provider, for all health care needs.
In the case of emergencies on campus, all faculty and staff should act in accordance with their training and the laws of the state of Indiana. The University Police Department should be contacted immediately, if possible, at 317-955-6789, or call 911. In the case of emergencies that occur in the administration of an academic program at a location other than the Indianapolis main campus, faculty and staff should act in accordance with their training and the laws in the applicable state and appropriate safety/security officials should be contacted immediately, if possible, and call 911.
When a handoff of care is provided to emergency services, faculty and staff will relinquish their role in the provision of emergency care. It is imperative that the community work together to resolve any exigent situation and respectfully provide timely health care to any member of our Marian University community, including students, faculty, staff or visitors.
It is understood that in the course of educating health care providers, it is often necessary to demonstrate treatment for the student. These demonstrations might be done while a student is practicing treatment on another student, or may be a demonstration by a member of the faculty directly on a student, so students can experience treatments, and acquire the necessary skills to perform such treatment. Such demonstrations are always to be done in the context of education and in a professional manner with at least three people present. If the demonstrations include video recording, the third person must be a member of the faculty or staff. It is incumbent on the faculty to create clear boundaries and to clarify expectations. If, in the course of teaching, a faculty member discovers possible pathology in a student, whether physical, mental or spiritual, the faculty member shall refer that student appropriately.
The relationship between the faculty member and the student, should, at all times, maintain the integrity of the faculty/student relationship. In the event that the faculty/student relationship may be compromised due to the formation of a provider/patient relationship, it is incumbent on the faculty member to recuse themselves from providing evaluations, grades or otherwise make determinations regarding a student’s academic progression.
Students may receive health care services, through a therapeutic relationship, from an assigned clinical preceptor so long as that provider is not full-time faculty and they recuse themselves from any and all academic assessment or decisions regarding promotion of the student receiving those services. It is the responsibility of the clinical preceptor and/or student to notify the school if a therapeutic relationship has been created. Upon notification, MU will take the steps necessary to alleviate any potential conflict.
Full-time faculty employed by MU may not engage in a therapeutic relationship with students currently enrolled in a MU academic program, unless it is done under the direct supervision and direction of an independent heath care professional (such as a physical therapist or athletic trainer).
It is expected that all members of the Marian University Community will act professionally and in the best interest of the Community, working toward the goals and mission of the University, including respect and dignity of each individual.